What if your situation seems insoluble and you feel like giving up because you don't seem to have the strength to continue? Have you tried "casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you" (1Pe 5:7)? "'Do not be anxious for your life'" (Mt 6:25). Jesus instructed some in Smyrna to be '"faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life'" (Rev 2:10). In a manner of speaking, Jesus cast his cares on God saying, "'Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit'" (Lk 23:46). These last two situations seem more desperate than normal, but they illustrate the importance of the spirit as opposed to the flesh. Jesus promised that '"the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out'" (Jn 6:37). Anxiety is worry, being overly concerned, or excessive preoccupation. How do you know in what way God will care for you (1Pe 5:7)? "He cares for those who trust in him" (Na 1:7 NIV). "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken" (Ps 55:22). Jesus said,"'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it'" (Mt 16:25). "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones" (Psalm 116:15). But our culture equates losing with not winning, or worse yet, not surviving. However, Paul asks, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win" (1Co 9:24). Therefore consider Jesus saying "'whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it'" (Mt 16:25). Surviving to some means doing just about anything to succeed, but to Jesus, saving your life means deference to what he has done for you. This framework for guidance says "whatever you do . . . do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col 3:7) "heartily, as for the Lord rather than men" (:23) "all to the glory of God" (1Co 10:31).
I can remember one night before going to sleep I decided it was the time to be "casting all your care upon him" (1Pe 5:7 KJV). It was convenient because I wouldn't have to worry about anything while asleep. But just "because He cares for you" (:7) doesn't mean that you dump all your responsibilities on God. After all, during the day I had taken "up the full armor of God . . . and having done everything" (Eph 6:13) stood firm. Even in psychology CBT and BMT require participation and practice. Particular thoughts activate areas of the brain so there is feedback. What is a thought and how does it originate? We are "spirit and soul and body" (1Th 5:23). Thoughts come from inside because "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Lk 12:34). "'The sheep follow him because they know his voice'" (Jn 10:4).